New Tax. While New England merchants protested the Sugar Act, news arrived in April 1765 that Parliament had passed the Stamp Act. This act imposed an excise tax on all newspapers and pamphlets, legal documents, leases, deeds, licenses, playing cards, diplomas, broadsides, and other paper products. Once the tax had been paid (in gold or silver coin), a revenue officer would affix a stamp on the paper. The act would take effect on 1 November 1765.